Our summer has been hijacked. Renovations have taken over our lives.
In early summer, Robert began painting the outside of our big, 100-
year-old house. The job is long overdue. We knew it wouldn’t be simple and would take time, but we didn’t know it would rule our whole summer.
First, Robert power-washed one side of the house and discovered that the paint was turning loose from the stucco in spots and that the loose paint on the whole wall needed to be removed with a steal brush. Then he realized the soffit (the wood under the roof overhang) had rotted and a long section would have to be replaced.
Rotten wood needed repair in several other places too. It was further complicated by the need to find thicker wood and plane it down so it would fit properly. Work often required two ladders against the house with scaffolding between them so they could reach the 25 to 30 feet high work area.
Complications happened daily, like the need to replace a couple of windows.
Normal responsibilities and involvement in the lives of others also created delays. In addition, Robert had a couple of long trips, funerals, a delightful weekend with family, and so on.
High temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rains also made the work more draining, more difficult, and shortened many work days. But the job weighs on our minds, even when we’re taking a break, whether for work or pleasure.
I’ve realized that repair and upkeep on an old house has a lot in common with renewal in our spiritual lives. When God shines His spotlight on something in our lives that needs to be fixed, we may agree that it’s needed, and may even realize it’s a big job, but we rarely understand what will be involved or how long it will take.
We picture sprucing up the outside, and then realize we can’t do that until we power-wash and scrape the trash away. Then we discover hidden rottenness (sin) that needs to go. We appreciate a face-lift, but rarely consider all that it might require.
In the midst of the make-over, we welcome any distractions that offer a break from the pain of cleaning up the old man so Jesus can make us new. However, in the midst of daily activity, the renovation is never far from mind as God walks us through issues that need to be addressed before the job is done.
It seems that our lives are hijacked, on hold until the job is complete. Sometimes, like with the house, it seems it will never end.
However, without overhaul, rot will continue to grow and paint will continue to flake, allowing more damage. If it is not tackled, further deterioration will make the job more difficult .
Paint could be applied without fixing all the problems. For awhile, it may look good from the outside–while the rot continues within.
We, too, can paste on a smile and pretend we’re fixed up, while hiding rot which grows within. But God sees it.
Jesus said, “Woe to you, . . . hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness (Matt. 23:27).
Renovation is often rough. It can make us feel like we’re hijacked, out of control, and like we’ll never get through it. However, it’s worth it.
We can rejoice in the process because of the joy of the finished project. Cleaning decay and toxins (sin),
- stops it from causing further destruction,
- frees us from internal drain, temptation, and destruction so our peace and joy will be genuine, and
- allows us to relate to others more freely and graciously. Most important, it
- lets us receive love and grace from the Lord more consistently, so we can enjoy fellowship with and victory in Him.
Don’t wait to be hijacked for a make-over, move over and give the controls to God. Let Him dig as deep as He wants and take as long as He needs. When it’s over, you’ll be grateful.
He specializes in redemption.
What correlations do you see?